I am still not sure about the applications of this token, IOT is itself in a very primitive state, more like a concept. What is the long term vision on this project?

I don't know what the core team's long term vision is, but I was attracted to it for the primary reason of mining decentralization. IOTA finds a way to recouple POW with network participation, which has been decoupled in bitcoin and most crypto, my favorite included. As I mentioned in their crowdsale thread, I'm disappointed with their approach to primary distribution, and I fear it will cripple the prospects of this network.

I am still not sure about the applications of this token, IOT is itself in a very primitive state, more like a concept. What is the long term vision on this project?

IoT is not in a primitive state, there are already over 10 billion connected devices. Yes it's still early days, but far from just a concept. It's already a multi-multi-billion dollar industry. But precisely because we are at the cusp of this huge revolution the standards needs to be set now, hence the need for IOTA. This ecosystem needs an efficient, scalable and secure payment system.

i don't know why you went this route. Why not have a conventional POW / blockchain phase for distribution, then shift to the DAG? In this case, the blockchain would really be used as simply a record of distribution.

And give all coins to a single botnet master? Hm, not sure it's a good alternative...

true, good point. I'm not saying its an easy problem. I'm just not a fan of the chosen approach. Its centralized. And granted, I haven't kept up with these threads, but 1 month distribution phase? I guess your hoping it takes to the markets after this. And how does the infrastructure get built? I know the topology of a DAG-based currency network is different than a blockchain-based network....

Partially Iota will ride on the success of the hardware which design will be funded by Iota sale. The hardware already takes into account such things as distributed computing and cryptography, it will provide hardware acceleration for the both.

Definitely a really interesting result. Last 'loophole free' test turned out to have been analysed wrong, so expect another 6 months until consensus. It also leave retrocausal and free will loophole open

Iota network can be used as a carrier for any kind of data. Personally, I need a decentralized email service that won't read my letters for its product placement tricks (side-effect: NSA won't spy me). This service will be something average between classical email and classical chat, the messages will be received by me only if I keep Iota node software running. If I can't run such software I can pay to retrieve (encrypted) letters from nodes that provide storage service in exchange for iotas. I need your ideas about what types of services you need, so I could merge some of these services with mine.

Personally, I need a decentralized email service that won't read my letters for its product placement tricks (side-effect: NSA won't spy me). This service will be something average between classical email and classical chat, the messages will be received by me only if I keep Iota node software running. If I can't run such software I can pay to retrieve (encrypted) letters from nodes that provide storage service in exchange for iotas.

I need this too but don't we have already a lot of encrypted mail or chat providers on the market ?The only problem of all these software solutions is that you need the receiver to use the same software.

Today, almost no one use encryption. Kids use text messages, Facebook Messenger, WhatsApp and Snapchat.It just means that people don't give a damn about their privacy so what about going the other way around and create more spywares and personal data extraction methods ?

Should we think about better ways of making money or ways of making a better world ?

from my POV it's all about nano payments, IOTA is perfect for this.merge a client with a communication component (e.g. tox) to enable people to 'earn' money e.g.for advices, supports, facts, translations and so on. a free android hybrid like this, includinga global micro service directory with nice categories would be great. payment could be calculatedper word, if chat advise is used or per minute/seconds for calls. every micro service entry inthe directory contains the type of service (categorized) a rating from users already used this resource, weighted by total service usage and the word/second/minute pricing.

people like to communicate and the more if they can earn something with this. big potential toreach the external market with high usage numbers if done right.

without my current workload i would built an app like this immediatly, success guaranteed.

Added:i also predict that the money earning wouldn't be the main motivation to usesuch a service. the fun factor, sharing knowledge and conneting to peoplearound the world, enveloped with a monetary symbol of appreciation (IOTAs) is it.

I need this too but don't we have already a lot of encrypted mail or chat providers on the market ?

Which one satisfies the both requirements - decentralized and lightweight?

Absolutely none because, until now, real decentralization lead to fucking slow and buggy services.Decentralized became the antonym of lightweight.That's why I have high hope for IOTA's technology to succeed.

from my POV it's all about nano payments, IOTA is perfect for this.merge a client with a communication component (e.g. tox) to enable people to 'earn' money e.g.for advices, supports, facts, translations and so on. a free android hybrid like this, includinga global micro service directory with nice categories would be great. payment could be calculatedper word, if chat advise is used or per minute/seconds for calls. every micro service entry inthe directory contains the type of service (categorized) a rating from users already used this resource, weighted by total service usage and the word/second/minute pricing. people like to communicate and the more if they can earn something with this. big potential toreach the external market with high usage numbers if done right. without my current workload i would built an app like this immediatly, success guaranteed.i also predict that the money earning wouldn't be the main motivation to usesuch a service. the fun factor, sharing knowledge and conneting to peoplearound the world, enveloped with a monetary symbol of appreciation (IOTAs) is it.

Unfortunatelly, messengers like Telegram use algorithms vulnerable to quantum computers. It means that if 3-letter agencies can't decrypt data yet, they still can store them and read later. Interfacing with existing chat programs will be impossible, it seems.

Any ideas how popular a lightweight decentralized secure chatting may be?

Unfortunatelly, messengers like Telegram use algorithms vulnerable to quantum computers. It means that if 3-letter agencies can't decrypt data yet, they still can store them and read later. Interfacing with existing chat programs will be impossible, it seems.

Any ideas how popular a lightweight decentralized secure chatting may be?

quantum resistance isn't needed for a service like this. the goal here is a different one.

While the sale is progressing let's do a little brainstorming.Iota network can be used as a carrier for any kind of data. Personally, I need a decentralized email service that won't read my letters for its product placement tricks (side-effect: NSA won't spy me). This service will be something average between classical email and classical chat, the messages will be received by me only if I keep Iota node software running. If I can't run such software I can pay to retrieve (encrypted) letters from nodes that provide storage service in exchange for iotas. I need your ideas about what types of services you need, so I could merge some of these services with mine.

Micro-payment might enable people and business to adopt this kind prediction market business model in the real life and business world. It will be interesting to see Iota apps provide service in this kind prediction market.